Beane seeks relief / A's get rocked in Anaheim

2004-06-22 04:00:00 PDT Anaheim -- Billy Beane's time of year is nigh, and this time, his team has a clear and urgent need.

On Monday, before his team fell 10-3 at Angel Stadium (its sixth loss in seven games), the A's general manager said he wants in on some of the major trade action before this year's deadline, with the specific goal of improving Oakland's woebegone bullpen.

Asked if he planned to jump into some of the activity already swirling, Beane responded, "I'd like to, because that's the fun part of the job. ... Historically, we've used the middle of the season to take the club from the level it's at to the next level, but this is unusual because we're trying to fill some obvious weaknesses."

A's relievers allowed five runs against Anaheim to up their ERA for the road trip to 14.60, and Oakland dropped into a first-place tie with Texas, a half-game ahead of the Angels.

"It's obvious guys have been struggling down there," Beane said of the bullpen, which is 0-3 with three blown saves in the first seven games of the 10-game road trip.

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Rich Harden throws to the Anaheim Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., on Monday, June 21, 2004. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Rich Harden throws to the Anaheim Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., on Monday, June 21, 2004. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Photo: CHRIS CARLSON

Photo: CHRIS CARLSON

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Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Rich Harden throws to the Anaheim Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., on Monday, June 21, 2004. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Rich Harden throws to the Anaheim Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., on Monday, June 21, 2004. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Photo: CHRIS CARLSON

Beane seeks relief / A's get rocked in Anaheim

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Royals GM Allard Baird is shopping center fielder Carlos Beltran and was at Sacramento last week watching Oakland's Triple-A team. Beane cannot discuss other organization's players because of tampering rules, but there is little doubt that were the A's -- who are rich in the types of prospects K.C. is seeking -- able to land a player such as Beltran, they would turn around and deal that player for relief help. In addition, owner Steve Schott told The Chronicle that he would be willing to increase the payroll to improve the bullpen.

Beane said, however, that the team hasn't identified a specific reliever who is both available and who also would be the sure-fire answer to Oakland's problems. Few closers are expected to be available, and they would come at a steep price.

A good setup man who might be able to handle closing duties is a more likely target. Again, Beane cannot comment on specific players, but The Chronicle mentioned the Dodgers' Guillermo Mota as a potential target last week. That type of pitcher -- relatively cheap, with another year before free agency -- would be ideal, except that in Mota's case, Los Angeles, despite a need for improved offense, would prefer to hang onto one of its strengths, an excellent relief corps.

Beane mentioned that Justin Lehr's call-up was recognition that the bullpen needs help and hinted that more moves could come from Sacramento, saying, "I'm not sure, at least at this point, that we have the external answer." Another member of the organization said there has been some discussion about bringing up Kirk Saarloos, who is 2-0 with a 2.04 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings at Sacramento.

Beane said that the notion of moving Monday's starter, Rich Harden, into the closer's role "is not something we'd talk about publicly right now. ... You've got to be comfortable about making a dramatic move like that, because it has a vacuum effect (on the team). And Rich has really made progress as a starter. ... If you do it, you have to be fully prepared for the impact on the team and on Rich individually."

Harden (3-5) gave up five runs on eight hits in 51/3 innings against the Angels.

Meanwhile, rumors that 2002 Cy Young winner Barry Zito is on the block are unfounded, according to Beane.

"Totally false," he said of reports in New York linking Zito with the Mets. "There is nothing to provide an impetus to trade Barry. We're only in the position we've been in as an organization because one of the reasons is Barry Zito.

"I take it as a silver lining that if you'd said we'd be in first place in June with (Eric) Chavez out and Barry struggling, that's pretty good."

Justin Duchscherer had been the most reliable reliever much of the year but he gave up four runs in two innings Monday, including a solo homer by Vladimir Guerrero, and has surrendered 15 hits and 10 runs (13.59 ERA) in his past five appearances.